Kildare County Development Plan 2023–2029 — Chapter 9: Our Rural Economy

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   Objectives It is an objective of the Council to: RD O22 Encourage public and private owners to allow / provide public access to forests for recreational and amenity use e.g., walking, biking and equine trails to enhance health and wellbeing. RD O23 Encourage appropriately located forestry and forestry related development, as a means of diversifying from traditional farming activity. RD O24 Facilitate tourism infrastructure and visitor services including tourism accommodation at appropriate locations in forest estates in accordance with all relevant planning and environmental conditions. RD O25 Support the use of sustainable timber products as a renewable raw material. RD O26 Support new forestry plantation and works related to forestry, subject to protection of visually sensitive areas, ecology, water resources and abstractions, and compliance with national regulations with respect to protection of the environment. RD O27 Support the development of forestry resources with several functions including, flood retention, biodiversity, water quality/catchment management, tourism, and recreation in conjunction with Coillte and other relevant stakeholders. RD O28 Discourage monocultural forestry and encourage a greater range of tree species in forestry plantations and promote, in particular, more native, deciduous hardwood woodlands. Such forestry plantations shall be subject to best practice and appropriate biosecurity measures and protocols. RD O29 Ensure that existing public rights of ways and walking routes are not obstructed during the planting of forests. RD O30 Ensure that development is appropriate in scale and character and does not have a negative visual impact on the countryside including public access, rights of way, walking routes and recreational facilities or cause degradation of wildlife habitats, nature conservation areas or areas of ecological importance. RD O31 Recognise the potential of forestry including Coillte’s "open forest" policy and protect and encourage access to forestry and woodlands (including private forestry) in co-operation with all relevant stakeholders for walking routes, long-distance and looped walks, mountain trails, nature trails, bridle paths, orienteering and hiking. 9.8 Bogs and Peatlands 24,300 ha (60,045) of land in County Kildare is covered by bogs, which represents 14% of the total land cover of the county. Most of the bogland resources in Kildare are in the north-west and south-west of the county, the majority of which are raised bogs with smaller blanket bog areas. Bord na Móna owns 8,765 ha of peatlands in the county, representing c.10% of its national landholding. In January 2021, Bord na Móna announced the cessation of industrial peat extraction across all its landbank including lands in Co. Kildare. The council recognises the potential of these industrial peatlands299

2. Page 12

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   in relation to a variety of uses and functions including re-wetting, re-wilding, carbon sequestration renewable energy, biodiversity, tourism, amenity, recreation, and other appropriate after uses with job opportunities. Many of the county’s peatland resources are designated Special Areas of Conservation and Natural Heritage Areas. Under the Habitats Directive, it is a legal requirement to protect bogs. The potential for the utilisation of peatland / protected peatland areas for tourist, amenity, carbon storage, biodiversity, and educational / research purposes is acknowledged and promoted. Peatlands form a distinctive aspect of Kildare’s Landscape. They represent some of the counties last areas of wilderness. The former Bog of Allen is the largest raised peat bog in Ireland. At over 950 square kilometres, it spreads across nine counties, including Kildare, and is the source of the River Boyne. Contained within this bogland in Kildare are a number of protected sites, the former boglands of Bord Na Móna and a number of visitor attraction centres around the bogland heritage such as Lullymore. The National Peatland Strategy 2014 which set targets for the re-use of cutaway bogs in terms of environmental protection, forestry, energy production and recognises the importance of this peatland landscape and promotes the concept of a National Peatland Park to explore the rich natural, archaeological, and cultural heritage of this unique landscape. The Council recognises the importance of raised bogland as a major natural, archaeological and amenity resource and will liaise with the relevant Government departments and NGOs to try to secure the conservation of original peatland areas. Policy It is the policy of the Council to: RD P7 Support the appropriate and sensitive diversification of former cutaway peatlands, whilst ensuring the protection of their ecological, archaeological, cultural, and educational significance in line with the National Peatlands Strategy (DAHG 2015) the National Raised Bog Special Area of Conservation Management Plan 2017-2022 and the Peatlands & Climate Change Action Plan 2030. Objectives It is an objective of the Council to: RD O32 Encourage the re-wetting, restoring and/or re-wilding of former cutaway bogs and peatlands with an emphasis on maximising biodiversity and carbon sequestration to account for approximately 70% of cutaway bogs. Such projects shall be subject to Appropriate Assessment; shall have regard to any hydrological connection shared with a European Site and their qualifying interest species; shall not adversely affect drainage of surrounding lands; and shall account for any potential likely significant effects and provide mitigation and monitoring where appropriate.300

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   RD O33 Work with all relevant stakeholders including Bord na Móna to support the sustainable re-use and sustainable development 5 of up to approximately 30% of cutaway boglands (within County Kildare) for economic purposes, including inter alia renewable energy (wind and solar) in appropriate locations, subject to relevant environmental assessments. Such projects shall be subject to Appropriate Assessment; shall have regard to any hydrological connection shared with a European Site and their qualifying interest species; shall not adversely affect drainage of surrounding lands; and shall account for any potential likely significant, cumulative and in combination effects. RD O34 Proposals brought forward for any development on the county’s cutaway peatlands shall be accompanied by an independent biodiversity profile of the landholding, setting out how the proposed development was formulated having regard to the following step by step, biodiversity-led process: 1. Identification of areas of greatest ecological value and how the proposal is compatible with peatland restoration. 2. Identification of areas of greatest carbon sequestration value. 3. Identification of areas of amenity value and potential, and incorporation of the Green Infrastructure Strategy (see Section 12.14.5). 4. Identification of the subject site as a percentage of the overall landholding and justification for the proposed use having regard to Objective RD O33. RD O35 Support diversification and re-use of buildings previously associated with peat extraction to waste management and resource recovery infrastructure. RD O36 Support the development of a National Peatlands Park in co-operation with Bord na Mona, NPWS, Inland Fisheries Ireland, local community groups and other relevant stakeholders as per recommendation 9 of the BOGLAND Report from the EPA in 2011, Action A28 of the National Peatland Strategy 2014 and the Local Just Transition Plan for West Kildare 2022. RD O37 Recognise the importance of cutover and cutaway bogs in providing some critical ecosystem services such as potential carbon sinks. Cutover bogs should be identified for immediate management interventions to prevent further degradation, particularly the ongoing loss of their carbon store. RD O38 Encourage, where possible, the return to a natural functioning peatland ecosystem in the first instance. RD O39 Protect peatlands from inappropriate development having regard to the Wind Energy Strategy for County Kildare (see Appendix 2). RD O40 Ensure that peatland areas which are designated (or proposed for designation) as NHAs, SACs or SPAs are conserved for their ecological 5 ‘Development’ will be defined as that area that includes all structures, pylon bases, foundations, roads in, on or crossing over the land, solar PV panels, turbines, the area beneath any turbine blades and all lands measured from the outer edge of a turbine blade to the next or adjoining turbine blade where the distance is not greater than 1 km. Greenways/peatways/trailways/bridle ways or amenity spaces will not be included.301

4. Page 14

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   and archaeological significance. RD O41 When developing project proposals for development on peatlands, undertake a peatland stability assessment, carbon emissions balance assessment and hydrological and ecological impact assessments, as required.6 Action It is an Action of the Council to: RD A1 Promote and support the development and operation of a number of long distance peatways that traverse the Bog of Allen utilising former industrial peat railway tracks and lines at the following locations: • From Ticknevin Bridge (Grand Canal) to Rathangan • Enfield (Royal Canal)/Kilshancoe (Raven’s Cross)/Killyon/Doogary through Timahoe Bog to Allenwood Community Development Association Ltd. and onto the Grand Canal and from there through Lullymore East and onto the Rathangan. These routes would also provide a loop walk comprising elements of the above two routes. 9.9 Mineral Resources & Extractive Industry Mineral resources are generally located within the rural area. Reserves of suitable material are finite, and the nature of the extractive industry is such that the industry must be developed where the resource occurs. The industry can have damaging environmental effects and permission will only be granted where the council is satisfied that residential and natural amenities will be protected, pollution will be prevented, and aquifers and ground water safeguarded. Whilst the environment must be protected, it is also important to ensure the availability of adequate supplies of aggregates and to facilitate the exploitation thereof to meet the future needs of the county and region in line with the principles of sustainable development and environmental management. Aggregate resources are important to the general economy with over 500 active quarries nationally in 2018, directly employing over 5,000 people. The industry provides a valuable source of employment in some areas of the county and the sector is vital to ensure provision of raw materials for the construction industry to facilitate the building of residential units, health care facilities, education facilities, social infrastructure and physical infrastructure to accommodate the existing and anticipated population growth in the county over the lifetime of the Plan and beyond. Extraction sites have long term environmental impacts and can significantly alter the landscape therefore there is a need to manage this impact particularly in sensitive landscapes as outlined in Chapter 13 of the Plan – Landscape, Recreation & Amenity. While siting is based on resource locations, the Council will protect high amenity / special / unique sensitivity areas and limit new and / or extending existing extractive 6 Refer also to Objectives RE O139 (Chapter 4) & EC O58 (Chapter 7)302

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   industries in these areas. 9.9.1 Post Closure of Extractive Industry After-Use Strategy for Quarries The conditions of quarry after-use and rehabilitation frequently involves the restoration of quarries, as far as possible, to their original appearance. This may result in the loss of key features that may ironically, have some ecological benefit or rich biodiversity interest. For example, sand and gravel banks are sometimes used as nesting sites by sand martins; rock faces and cliff ledges can provide ideal nesting sites for ravens and peregrine falcons; their crevices have been known to provide nesting sites for jackdaws, kestrels, and barn owls. Duck species and waders (such as snipe and lapwing) have been known to frequent the ponds and wetlands at quarry sites. Some of these species are of high or medium conservation concern being listed as red or amber (Birds of Conservation Concern Ireland/International Union for the Conservation of Nature). Orchids and other wildflowers have colonized exposed areas while colonizing scrub vegetation provides a sanctuary for other birdlife and mammals. Therefore, in developing any after-use strategy and/or restoration plan, there will be a requirement to prepare a detailed survey and assessment of the intrinsic ecological character first (by an appropriate ecologist), identifying the range and location of key species of flora and fauna on site. The rehabilitation plan should work around these habitats and species in a process known as Rehabilitation Ecology. Ideally, the final restoration plan will provide for a mosaic of habitats, including, for example, cliff/sand or gravel banks, ponds, wetlands, open meadow (appropriately seeded), naturally recolonizing scrubland and planted woodland (i.e., saplings of native tree species). The interface of habitats will provide for a rich biodiversity network. Where obvious scarring and visual impact off-site is evident, infilling and backfilling may be desirable however rather than reverting to agricultural grasslands, in such instances it is recommended that the lands be given over to specific biodiversity and ecological benefit with, for example, wildflower meadows and native woodland planting. It should be noted that the importation of any materials for the purpose of restoration requires planning permission, similarly where planning permission is required for any proposed after-uses same should be obtained. In order to achieve this, specific targets need to be established. It is a requirement, that quarry remediation plans provide for environmental benefit, biodiversity, and rewilding in all instances. The 80% requirement for environmental/biodiversity may be waived at sites closer to urban areas where a significant portion of the site is being provided for sports, recreation and amenity uses.303

6. Page 16

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   Policy It is the policy of the Council to: RD P8 Support and manage the appropriate future development of Kildare’s natural aggregate resources in appropriate locations to ensure adequate supplies are available to meet the future needs of the county and the region in line with the principles of sustainable development and environmental management and to require operators to appropriately manage extraction sites when extraction has ceased. Objectives It is an objective of the Council to: RD O42 Ensure that development for aggregate extraction, processing and associated concrete production does not significantly impact the following: - Special Areas of Conservation (SACs) - Special Protection Areas (SPAs) - Natural Heritage Areas (NHAs) - Other areas of importance for the conservation of flora and fauna. - Zones of Archaeological Potential. - The vicinity of a recorded monument. - Sensitive landscape areas as identified in Chapter 13 of this Plan. - Scenic views and prospects. - Protected Structures. - Established rights of way and walking routes. - Potential World Heritage Sites in Kildare on the UNESCO Tentative List, Ireland. RD O43 Consult with the Geological Survey of Ireland (GSI), with regard to any developments likely to have an impact on sites of Geological Importance listed in Chapter 12 of this Plan. RD O44 Require applications for mineral or other extraction to include (but not limited to): - An Appropriate Assessment Screening where there is any potential for effects on a Natura 2000 site (see Chapter 12). - An Environmental Impact Assessment Report (EIAR). - An Ecological Impact Assessment may also be required for subthreshold developments to evaluate the existence of any protected species / habitats on site. - A detailed landscaping plan to be submitted indicating proposed screening for the operational life of the site. The predominant use of native plant species in the proposed landscaping plan will be expected. - Detailed landscaping and quarry restoration plans. Habitats and species surveying shall be carried out and shall influence the restoration plan for the site. - Comprehensive Site Restoration Plan and/or After-Use Strategy having regard to the principles of ‘Rehabilitation Ecology’ - Transport Impact Assessment304

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   RD O45 Require, where permission is granted for quarrying / extraction of aggregates, the submission by the developer of a bond (cash deposit, bond from an insurance company or other security acceptable to the planning authority) to ensure the satisfactory completion and restoration of the site. RD O46 Require road re-instatement work to be on-going during operations, in the interests of road and traffic safety. Works undertaken to re-instate/improve the public road should be undertaken by the quarry developer or paid by them and completed by the Council. RD O47 Protect and safeguard the county’s natural aggregate resources from inappropriate development. RD O48 Manage the finite aggregate resources being mined by the extractive industries in the county to supply the future needs of our region while working to reach our climate change targets. RD O49 Have regard to the following guidance documents (as may be amended, replaced, or supplemented) in the assessment of planning applications for quarries, ancillary services, restoration and after-use: - Quarries and Ancillary Activities: Guidelines for Planning Authorities, DEHLG (2004). - Environmental Management Guidelines – Environmental Management in the Extractive Industry (Non-Scheduled Minerals), EPA (2006). - Archaeological Code of Practice between the DEHLG an ICF (2009). - Geological Heritage Guidelines for the Extractive Industry (2008). - Wildlife, Habitats, and the Extractive Industry – Guidelines for the protection of biodiversity within the extractive industry, NPWS (2009). RD O50 Ensure the satisfactory and sensitive re-instatement and/or re-use of disused quarries and extraction facilities, where active extraction use has ceased. Future uses should include amenity, recreation and biodiversity areas shall be informed by an assessment of the specific site/lands and shall be subject to an ecological impact assessment or other environmental assessments as appropriate. Where it is proposed to reclaim, regenerate, or rehabilitate old quarries by filling or re-grading with inert soil or similar material, or to use worked-out quarries as disposal locations for inert materials, the acceptability of the proposal shall be evaluated against the criteria set out in Section 15.9.6 of this Plan. The Council will resist development that would significantly or unnecessarily alter the natural landscape and topography, including land infilling/ reclamation projects or projects involving significant landscape remodelling, unless it can be demonstrated that the development would enhance the landscape and / or not give rise to adverse impacts. RD O51 Require that quarry remediation plans provide for environmental benefit, biodiversity and re- wilding in all instances. The 80% requirement for environmental/biodiversity may be waived at sites closer to urban areas where a significant portion of the site is being provided for sports, recreation, and amenity.305

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